Plan Commission approves sidewalk easement at Bayshore Drive and Mill Street for ADA ramp

The Oshkosh Plan Commission voted 7–0 to accept a sidewalk easement offered by the owner of the property at 6207 Bayshore Drive, allowing the city to construct an ADA‑compliant sidewalk and ramp at the southwest corner of Bayshore Drive and Mill Street during an upcoming street reconstruction project.

Planning staff and a Department of Public Works representative said the easement — described in the staff report as a small triangular area (12.5 square feet, per the staff summary) — will permit installation and future maintenance of a concrete sidewalk ramp that ties into the Mill Street sidewalk. The council recently authorized staff to order the sidewalk construction; the easement allows the city to make the ADA connection as part of the Bayshore Drive reconstruction that will occur later this year.

Commissioners asked whether the special‑assessment process and construction authorizations were proceeding in the correct order; staff said council had authorized staff to proceed with construction and that the easement acquisition was the prudent step now to ensure ADA compliance during construction. Staff said the property owner has agreed to the easement and that the city attorney’s office drafted the necessary documents; upon council approval the easement will be recorded with the register of deeds.

There were no public speakers on the item. The commission adopted the staff findings and recommendations and approved acceptance of the easement by a 7–0 roll‑call vote. Staff noted that without the easement the ramp connection to Mill Street could not be made ADA‑compliant during the current reconstruction schedule.